Minutes of the Board of Finance meeting held on Tuesday, February 23, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall.
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Present:~~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members:~ Andrew Russell, Bennett Bernblum, H. P. Garvin, III,
Christopher Kerr, Janet Sturges, David Woolley
Alternate Members:~ Adam Burrows, Bob Jose, David Kelsey
Bonnie A. Reemsnyder, ex-officio
Mary Jo Nosal, Selectwoman
Nicole Stajduhar, Finance Director
Absent:~~~~~~~~~~~ Regular Members:~
~Alternate Members:~~
Guests: Stephanie Lyon-Gould, Director, Lymes’ Senior Center
Tom Risom, Chief, Old Lyme Fire Department
Rob McCarthy, President, Old Lyme Fire Department
Tony Vallombroso, Purchasing Agent, Old Lyme Fire Department
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~Mr. Russell called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
206-670 Lymes’ Senior Center
Mrs. Lyon-Gould detailed the operations and recommendations for the Lymes’ Senior Center, stating that the budget is pretty much the same. Mrs. Lyon-Gould detailed the operating budget, which includes an increase in telephone, propane and electricity at the Senior Center.
Mrs. Lyon-Gould detailed the Capital Budget, which included A/C replacement, paint interior, outdoor railing, new roof, replacement security cameras, and doors, with the kitchen door having a window in it to satisfy insurance requirements.
A motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mrs. Sturges, to approve $89,272 for the Lymes’ Senior Center. Motion carried.
Mr. Russell requested that the Fire Department, be moved up on the agenda. Therefore, a motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Woolley, to move the Fire Services up on the agenda. Motion carried.
205 Fire Services
0540 Old Lyme Fire Department
Mr. Risom outlined various increases and decreases within the operating budget. Mr. Risom detailed the increases within the operating budget of the Fire department that includes building maintenance/cleaning,
Board of Finance Meeting February 23, 2016
communication batteries hose and fittings, and fire fighters classes. There is no increase in the technology and computer line which includes a licensing fee, firefighting software and server operations. Noted decreases included landline telephone, building operations at Lyme Street and Cross Lane, Apparatus and Fuel, Air/SCBA maintenance, equipment maintenance, bottled water, chemicals and foam, and marine equipment.
Mr. Risom detailed the Capital Budget, which included air bottles, portable radios, Lyme Street firehouse boiler, rugged laptops, and the future replacement of two tankers.
A motion was made by Mr. Bernblum, seconded by Mrs. Sturges, to approve $ 214,747 for Old Lyme Fire Department operating budget. Mr. Kerr abstained from voting. Motion carried.
Minutes of December 15, 2015 Regular Meeting
The minutes of December 15th meeting were reviewed.
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mr. Kerr to approve the revised minutes as presented. Mr. Woolley abstained as he was not present. Motion carried.
Minutes of February 02, 2016 Regular Meeting
The minutes of February 2nd meeting were reviewed.
There being no corrections noted, a motion was made by Mr. Kerr, seconded by Mr. Woolley to approve the minutes as written. Motion carried.
Salaries
There were various changes within the salary summary. There was a discussion on the Parks and Recreation Director and the Administrative Assistant to the Building Official.
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mrs. Sturges, to approve $2,650,491. Motion carried.
205 Public Safety
0570 Emergency Service Retirement
Mrs. Stajduhar requested that this item be postponed until the March 8th meeting when she will have completed information.
Board of Finance Meeting February 23, 2016
206-600 Social Services
0610 Social Service Dept.
Mrs. Reemsnyder highlighted the Social Service Department budget. She stated that the Social Service Director who requested an increase in weekly hours works only twelve hours a week. There was discussion of the Social Service Department’s services and the needs of the Town’s residents. There was discussion on what are the services that the local Social Services provide and what services can be referred to the regional Social Service organizations.
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mr. Woolley to approve $18,747, including salaries, for the Social Service Department. Motion carried.
0620 Social Service Agencies
The grant requests of several social service agencies historically supported by the Town were discussed. Below are the following allocations:
001 Literacy Volunteers $500
002 Women’s Center 500
003 Rushford Center 500
004 Regional Mental Health 392
005 TVCCA 600
006 Sexual Assault CC 300
007 Shoreline Soup Kitchen 500
008 Arc of New London County 500
*New London Homeless Hospitality Center 500
Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that the new agency*, The New London Homeless Hospitality Center, has requested assistance from the Town. There was a discussion as to how many residents it actually benefits. Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that showing support to local organizations displays favorably when applying for various grants whose agencies investigate if the community is supporting their organization as well.
A motion was made by Mr. Bernblum, seconded by Mrs. Sturges, to approve $4,292 for Social Service Agencies. Motion carried.
0630 Old Lyme Visiting Nurse Association
Mrs. Stajduhar stated that the VNA budget represents $60,000 for professional nursing services and $350 for postage. The OLVNA always returns unused funds to the town.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Kerr, to approve $60,350 for Old Lyme Visiting Nurse Association. Motion carried.
Board of Finance Meeting February 23, 2016
0640 Estuary Transit District
The Estuary Transit District provides scheduled bus service and Dial a Ride services for Old Lyme and surrounding towns. The nine-town shuttle runs from Old Saybrook to New London and to Middletown.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Bernblum, to approve $14,400 for the Estuary Transit District. Motion carried.
0650 Estuary Services
The Estuary Nutrition site serves meals daily at the Senior Center, as well as providing “meals on wheels” to homebound clients within the Town. The Estuary requested $36,547, citing an increase in number of residents being served as well as an increase in the cost of providing services on all levels. The ECSI is funded by grants, donations from individuals, fund raising efforts and contributions from each of the Estuary towns.
A motion was made by Mr. Garvin, seconded by Mr. Woolley, to approve $36,547 for the Estuary Services. Motion carried.
211-1200 Private Beach Associations
At the February 9th meeting, $71,700 was approved for Private Beach Associations, but not individually allocated. The allocation will be as follows:
7007 Point O’Woods $13,400
7008 Old Lyme Shores $ 8,600
7009 Old Colony Beach $ 9,000
7010 Miami Beach $20,050
7011 White Sand Beach $14,050
7012 Rogers Lake West Shores $ 3,000
7013 Hawks Nest Beach $ 1,600
7015 EdgeLea $ 2,000
Transfer Station Safety Improvement
No information is available at this present time.
Board of Finance Meeting February 23, 2016
Other Business
Town Hall Exterior Improvements: Mrs. Reemsnyder stated that lead paint from the old building needs to be removed, and the building needs to be power washed and cleaned up. The quotes received to perform this work are approximately $35,000. There was a discussion that funds to complete this work will be taken from the Building Improvement account.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Garvin to recommend that this project is approved by the Board of Finance and is being recommended to be included at the Town Meeting, to be held on March 7th at 7:30 pm at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall Meeting Hall. Motion carried.
WPCA Update: Mrs. Reemsnyder reported that the communication with the new WPCA chair has been very positive. A task force and board representatives have been developed with the hopes of rectifying outstanding invoices and previous recommendations.
Mr. Russell stated that the next Board of Finance meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 01, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. Budgets for General Government and Boards and Commissions are scheduled for discussion.
A motion was made by Mrs. Sturges, seconded by Mr. Kerr, to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:10 pm. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michele E. Hayes
Secretary
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